Most of the conversation during the buildup to TFC’s 2-0 loss to Columbus concerned whether the Reds had finally turned a corner.

Were they finally settled enough, talented enough, to be as consistent as most teams currently sitting ahead of them in the table?

For supporters, it’s OK to feel misled. Back-to-back wins and a solid second half against the Seattle Sounders last week will do that.

But what the Reds offered in central Ohio on Saturday night was a return the club’s forgettable past, something that made losing to 10-man Chivas USA earlier this summer not seem like such a one-off.

As a result, it took the Crew less than 20 minutes to put one past TFC’s Joe Bendik.

After being at fault on the Seattle Sounders’ winner last week, embattled defender Doneil Henry failed to deal with a cross into the area in the 19th minute, allowing the home side’s Bernardo Anor to win a 50-50 and blast an attempt that was initially saved by Bendik.

The Crew’s second effort, though, was pumped into the open net by a trailing Federico Higuain, the eventual game-winner and his third in three games against the Reds.

“We had a bad day at the office,” TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen said. “We were our worst enemies to tell you the truth. We gave it away in poor areas.”

Even at 2-0, the final scoreline flattered the Reds.

Had Bendik not watched his usual solid performance go unrewarded things might have been worse.

Five minutes from halftime a nifty Crew sequence at the top of the circle was capped off with a grass cutter from Anor that forced Bendik down to his right.

Two minutes later, the Crew’s Justin Meram cut in from the left and struck a low drive that would have found side-netting had Bendik not managed to fly horizontally across the frame.

“There wasn’t very many who played well today,” Nelsen said. “We’re not good enough where we can have an off day and get away with it.”

It was a timid, tired and tumultuous first half, similar to what was witnessed seven days ago.

Unlike last week, however, the Reds didn’t emerge form the tunnel with anymore pep in their step.

Bendik came up huge a third time when Dominic Oduro bursted through on a fast break in the 53rd minute.

The Ghanaian outpaced Ashtone Morgan — as he did most the night — and took a touch into the the area before Bendik made himself big.

With TFC offering next to nothing in front of goal, the Crew deservedly doubled their advantage in the 78th minute through the likeliest of sources.

Higuain received at the top of the circle before facing up, looking up and sending a delicate chip over Bendik from 20 metres.

While questions will be asked of the ’keeping on the play, the most troubling aspect was how the centre back pairing of Steven Caldwell and Henry reacted. Instead of stepping to one of the most dangerous players in the league, the duo dropped, allowing Higuain to attempt his circus-like effort that hung endlessly until it found net.

It was a goal that was a microcosm of the game — a match that saw the Crew attack endlessly, even after TFC’s newest attacking darling Max Urruti made his debut.

“It’s an accumulation of not being able to keep the ball,” Nelsen said of the loss. “The rest of the players didn’t help our defenders by not really treating the ball with respect.”

Yes, questions were answered Saturday night in Columbus, questions as to whether or not this club is making strides.

On Saturday night, the Reds seemed to regress.

KOEVERMANS: MY FUTURE IS CLEAR

We’ve likely seen the end of the greatest scorer in TFC’s short history.

In Danny Koevermans’ own words: It’s “quite clear.”

His crystal ball is telling him TFC won’t play a role.

In a Dutch interview with Sport Promotion Consultancy this week, Koevermans announced plans to return to the Netherlands upon completion of his MLS contract in December.

“My contract expires and then i will return to the Netherlands,” Koevermans said. “I hope than in the Netherlands to get started.”

Roughly translated, Koevermans said he believes he can still compete at the highest level post-ACL surgery, which saw him miss the start of the current MLS season.

Since then, he has missed time with a number of minor knocks.

There had been talk that Koevermans might return for an additional season on less money.

At one time the clubs explored the possibility of the Dutchman returning on a non-DP deal, one TFC source said.

But Koevermans’ latest revelations would seem a pitch to all Dutch clubs that he’s heading home.

“My beginning at Toronto was very promising,” Koevermans said. “For the rest i had no reason to complain in Canada. The country is great and the people are very nice.”

The cash is nice, too. The Dutchman has collected around $4 million since joining the Reds midway through 2011.

In 22 MLS starts since that time, Koevermans has 17 goals and three assists.

Listless TFC loses on road to Columbus Crew

Most of the conversation during the buildup to TFC’s 2-0 loss to Columbus concerned whether the Reds had finally turned a corner.

Were they finally settled enough, talented enough, to be as consistent as most teams currently sitting ahead of them in the table?

For supporters, it’s OK to feel misled. Back-to-back wins and a solid second half against the Seattle Sounders last week will do that.

But what the Reds offered in central Ohio on Saturday night was a return the club’s forgettable past, something that made losing to 10-man Chivas USA earlier this summer not seem like such a one-off.

As a result, it took the Crew less than 20 minutes to put one past TFC’s Joe Bendik.

After being at fault on the Seattle Sounders’ winner last week, embattled defender Doneil Henry failed to deal with a cross into the area in the 19th minute, allowing the home side’s Bernardo Anor to win a 50-50 and blast